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NVCA plants 4.5 million trees – a major milestone in watershed restoration

July 2, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart
The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority has planted 4.5 million trees, marking a major
conservation milestone.
Since launching its tree planting program in 1965, NVCA has worked with hundreds of
landowners to establish forests that improve water quality, reduce erosion, enhance wildlife
habitat, and contribute to healthier, more resilient communities.
“When NVCA first began tree planting, the program complemented the Province of Ontario’s
efforts to restore agricultural lands and restore soil productivity,” said Rick Grillmayer, manager
of forestry at NVCA. “As provincial tree planting programs gradually reduced in the early 1990s,
NVCA became the only organization in the Nottawasaga Watershed to offer large-scale
professional tree planting services to private landowners.”
Over the past several decades, NVCA has developed a modern, science-based approach to
tree planting that focuses on long-term forest establishment and success. Each project begins
with a detailed assessment of site conditions, including soil characteristics, drainage,
topography, existing vegetation, and landowner objectives.
Tree species are carefully selected to match site conditions and promote healthy growth,
resilience, and ecological function.
“Landowners place tremendous trust in us when they choose to plant trees on their property,”
said Grillmayer. “Our responsibility extends beyond planting seedlings. We work to ensure those
trees survive, thrive, and become healthy forests that will benefit future generations. Reaching
4.5 million trees planted is a remarkable achievement, but what matters most is that those trees
are growing into successful forests across the watershed.”
Some landowners establish windbreaks to protect agricultural fields, while others plant trees on
land that is difficult to farm or no longer economically productive. Many of these properties have
been passed down to the next generation and are now mature woodlots that support local
industries and provide wildlife habitats and other environmental benefits.
Reaching 4.5 million trees planted is a remarkable, shared accomplishment, made possible by
the collective efforts of landowners, governments, municipalities, contractors, and volunteers
working together toward a healthier watershed.
NVCA is currently planning tree-planting projects for 2027. Landowners in the Nottawasaga
Watershed with two acres of planting space can contact NVCA at (705) 424-1479 or email
rgrillmayer@nvca.on.ca for more information about the program and the legacy they can leave.

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